HELP!! 1st Timer Needs Help w/ Resort Pick

[carluglenn]

Hi,

I am planning a last minute trip to WDW May 24-29 w/ our 2 girls (5&8).

I cannot decide between the Moderate resorts. I like POFQ because of the smallness of the layout and the pool looks great.....I also like the idea of the riverboat transportation to Downtown Disney (less walking). The Mardi Gras theme kinda freaks me out (I am frightened of clowns and Harlequins remind me of clowns). Don't know about all the Mardi Gras heads hanging from the ceiling.

Secondly, I was looking at POR.....a little bigger w/o the Mardi Gras theme. I like the Southern Plantation theme (I am a southern girl).

Is the pool at POR as GREAT as I assume the one at POFQ is?

Thirdly I was looking at Coronado Spring and Caribbean Beach.....these 2 are my favorites from photos as we are beach people and go to Mexico every year....

CS seems too far away and too spread out, but I like that it's newer. And has a GREAT pool.

CBR looks spread out also. But the pool looks great also. And closer to Epcot might be nice (for food choices??).

Initially I chose CS...then CBR...then POFQ...then POR.

We want a GREAT pool, food court and/or large selection of food choices.

I think we will spend most time @ MK and AK....

Lastly, we have to fly home from Tampa (2 hours away)...are there rental car places close to WDW?

I am sorry for the lenght of this, but I am sooo overwhelmed and there is so much to think about, etc.

I have read, read, read all the books, websites, etc. and am more confused now!

THANKS for the help!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

The only one of those that I have personally stayed in is CBR and I hated it. Way too spread out. I originally booked it for the pool, but the main pool is pretty far away from most of the buildings unless you book a preferred section, and it seemed small to me for the size of the resort. All the pictures I had seen made it look huge, but it's not. We plan to stay at POR in Sept. becaue I've heard so many good things about it here. Also, CS is pretty spread out as well....I guess there are good and bad about all of them, and everyone likes something different, but CBR just didn't do it for me.

 

[TheresaNY]

We loved CSR !! Great pool and great food court ! Lots of selections at the food court !! It is a beautiful setting with three different areas. I preferred the fountains and grounds of Casitas. Bus system was easy and convenient. You may enjoy a different style from what you are use, since you said you are from the south !! But we are trying POR this summer for a change and because the mansions do look quite beautiful. Don't know about FQ so don't know how overpowering the theming might be to you. Seems to me that no one can really go wrong at any WDW resort !! Good luck with your selection !! Go for CASITAS it is BEAUTIFUL and the Dig Site pool was awesome !!

 

[salbythec]

For the car info, go on the transportation forum lots of info there. National has really good rates right now.

 

[racheltyler]

We've stayed at all of these resorts. Here would be my opinion for you to consider -

I completely agree w/ "Kirsten's Mommy" about the CBR. Pictures are very deceiving of the main pool. It is small & limited seating. Tiny hot tub, poor location. It is a large resort also.

CSR is much better even though it's large also. Somehow, it didn't seem to bother me as much here. We were in the Cabanas section which was fairly close to main pool and not far from food court also. The main pool area here is very large, nice pool bar with food options, drink refills, playground and large hot tub. Best of all moderates pool area, IMO. Nice quiet pools also. Nice beach areas.

Like POFQ but doesn't sound like you'd feel comfortable w/ theme here.

POR - good option. Large resort also. Good pool. Not my favorite though, like beachy theme better.

Hope this helps! Sharon

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

We stayed at CBR for our first trip in 2002 and LOVED it!!! We were in the Jamaica section , really close to the bus stop and there was a quiet pool close by and the walk to the food court and main pool was really nice. We really enjoyed our stay there.

This year we will be trying POFQ for the first time and are looking forward to it however I would not hesitate to go back to CBR!

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi carluglenn

I don't see the Swan or Dolphin in your choices anywhere. If you can get a good rate there it's a deluxe resort right beside the YC and BC and the board walk. It's a really nice resort with a great pool and great location. Sometimes you can be really surpised and get an awesome rate.

Checkout Allears Swan/Dolphin Discount Codes You can get a lake view room for $169 per night and I think the rates are lower if you are a teacher or a government employee.

We stayed there in 2003 and will be again in June. We all love this resort too.

Andy

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi carluglenn

I don't see the Swan or Dolphin in your choices anywhere. If you can get a good rate there it's a deluxe resort right beside the YC and BC and the board walk. It's a really nice resort with a great pool and great location. Sometimes you can be really surpised and get an awesome rate.

Checkout Allears Swan/Dolphin Discount Codes You can get a lake view room for $169 per night and I think the rates are lower if you are a teacher or a government employee.

We stayed there in 2003 and will be again in June. We all love this resort too.

Andy

PS. Oh and there is a car rental office right in the Dolphin. Not sure which one. National?? Hmmm, can't remember but VERY handy.

 

[Linda T.]

We love CBR.!!! We have stayed at Martinique and at Jamaica. We liked both areas. We, also, like the food court, and we have always had great bus service. We are going back in June to CBR and can't wait. One year we stayed at Dixie Landings. We didn't like the food court, and we did not think the bus service was the greatest. _____________________________________________________________

1995 - Caribbean
1997 - Caribbean
1999 - Dixie Landings
2003 - Caribbean
2005 - Caribbean

 

[HopperFan]

Have stayed at all but FQ, but have visited and eaten there.

I would go with CSR for first choice because it sounds like the theme is appealing to you and it certainly is a resort full of amentities. We call it the "deluxe-moderate". I don't know why people feel like it is so far out. It has excellent bus transportation which takes no time at all to get to the parks. It is built in a circle around the lake but not a long walk, and it's so nice we don't mind.

POR would be my second choice. The mansion sides are beautiful (stayed that side twice). They are victorian like rooms and I consider it the feminine side of the resort, you girls will love it. Again built in a circle but with bridges so getting around is easy. My kids loved that pool when they were younger. Good size slide, falling water, lush landscape, just across bridge from food court. When we went to vist FQ they still liked POR pool better. BUT since they are sister resorts you can use both

FQ....if you don't like clowns, don't stay, it wouldn't be worth it to me to chance it.

CBR - very large, very spread out and the theme pool is extremely too small for a resort that size. It was the first moderate they built and I think each time they build another they improve. You can get a tropical fix at CSR.

 

[polkadotminnie]

We liked CSR much better than POFQ. The pool is awesome! It is closer to AKL than the others, but further to MK. It has it's own buses so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[MiJo]

We have stayed at POR, POFQ and CSR (never CBR because the theme does not appeal to us for some reason).
You mentioned:

We want a GREAT pool, food court and/or large selection of food choices.

Of the three Moderates we have stayed at, I would suggest CSR for the best overall pool, food court and food choices. We enjoy each resort for different reasons. CSR had a very nice pool and the Pepper Market is our favorite food court. The selections are excellent, much better than those at POR or POFQ. It is set up like an outdoor marketplace with kiosk type stands offering different foods. You get a large menu which you carry around as you make your choices. You have a waiter serve you your drinks and I believe you actually get real plates, coffee cups and silverware, not styrofoam and plastic.
You really can't go wrong with any of these 3 resorts but CSR seems to have more of what you are looking for.

 

[Disney Daddy et al]

It sounds as if CSR would be a good choice. National has an office by MK.
Check out mousesavers if you dont have Emerald club. It can save you a little money
Good luck and have a great time.

 

[Deweysgirl]

1st choice - CBR Great tropical atmosphere, my girls love the pool there and there are plenty of food choices. We love the cabana bar and sipping pina colada's while the girls swim. I also like their shopping choices and gift shop. Nice hammocks to sit on by the "faux" beach and there are plenty of animals to be seen here. Ducks, water birds, rabbits, etc...

2nd choice - POR We like the theming here and our girls loved the wagon ride. The ferry that takes you directly to Downtown Disney is so peaceful and convenient. The entertainment in the lounge is awesome and family friendly. Also nice selection for dining and you can use the pool at FQ by walking the path or taking the ferry.

3rd choice - CSR Nice resort, no complaints, just didn't feel as "Disney" to us as the other resorts.

Hope this helps!

 

[vettechick99]

I've stayed at POFQ, POR & CSR but didn't take advantage of many of the amenities, so I won't comment much. However I did enjoy my stay at all of them! I especially liked the theming at CSR.

But I did want to welcome you to the boards!!

 

[dkrause716]

Our kids loved PORFQ when they were younger , mainly because of the pool. We are scheduled to try POR this summer. It looks lovely but I know it is a little bit bigger than FQ. Personally the other moderates just don't do it for me. Too big! We ate at CS last year and had a nice meal but the place was huge. There were like 15 bus stops!

Your kids will love the dragon slide at FQ!